27 September 2023

Why it’s important to keep your skills up to date

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So you’ve finished your studies and got the job, or you’ve been in your industry for years — why should you go back to study? There are plenty of reasons why keeping your skills up to date can benefit your career. Plus, adding those extra qualifications to your tool belt could be easier than you might think.

The world of work is changing

Did you know the first iPhone was released in Australia in 2008? It’s hard to imagine something that has become so universally accepted has only been in our lives for 15 years.

Imagine what else has changed over the last decade. That qualification you got even just a few years ago might now be out of date. Even if you don’t work in a traditionally technology-driven industry, factors like legislative changes, changing customer trends, or the introduction of new tools like Chat GPT can have an impact on the skills you need to do your job effectively.

Don’t be the one who gets lefts behind. Make sure you keep your knowledge and skills up to date by taking advantage of professional development opportunities and adding to your existing skillset with a short course or formal qualification.

Stand out from the crowd

One obvious benefit to biting the bullet and investing in your education and training is that it can help with your career progression. Enhancing your qualifications is a way to demonstrate to your manager that you’re passionate about your industry and take your job seriously. Being highly skilled will help you stand out from the crowd and could help land that promotion or pay rise you’ve been hanging out for.

If you’re worried about fitting study into your already busy lifestyle, an online course might be just what you’re looking for. Think you can’t study online courses in your field? Think again. These days more and more providers are expanding their online offering with child care, nursing, health, building, engineering, plumbing, fitness, and agriculture courses now all available to study online.

Get your mojo back

Another hidden benefit of expanding or refreshing your skills is that it can give you a new zest for your current career. With updated skills under your belt you can feel confident sharing new ideas, creating efficiencies, and feeling inspired about where the industry is heading.

If you’re more concerned with learning about the latest trends rather than getting a formal qualification then a short course could be for you. No matter what industry you’re in there’s a huge range of short courses that you can complete in as little as a day. Some accredited short courses may even give you credit towards a certificate or diploma if you decide to upgrade your skills in the future.

When you feel confident for what comes next, you define your greatness. With a range of study options including short courses, certificates, diplomas, and degrees, TAFE Queensland can help you keep your skills industry current.

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